Unconventional Gas in the Gainsborough Trough

There is an interesting paper, published earlier this year, co-written by Professor Alastair Fraser of Imperial College and Kate Parkin IGas Geologist entitled “Unconventional Petroleum Potential of the Gainsborough Trough, East Midlands, United Kingdom”. The CLG were given a well received talk by Kate Parkin last year on the geology of the area around Tinker Lane. Alastair Fraser in his early days with BP was responsible for much of the 2D seismic that IGas are relying upon in their investigations in North Nottinghamshire. BP also drilled/owned the oilwells in the Gainsborough Trough now owned by Island Gas/IGas. A photo of a workover rig at Beckingham 25 oilwell, situated on the Gainsborough Trough, taken in April 2018 is shown above.

The paper is about estimating an unconventional oil and gas potential of the Gainsborough Trough. A lot of heavy reading. In a nutshell the paper suggests there is significant potential for unconventional hydrocarbons in the Gainsborough Trough shale layer below the existing conventional oil and gas reserves/wells. The paper concludes that there is a need for core samples and an understanding of the fracture characteristics of the shale. Something to watch out for in the future perhaps.